Stan the Man's Story
Stan and his brother Hank came into the rescue on January 27th, 2023. They were surrendered by their previous owners. Right away I knew Stan was in trouble. His breathing was very loud and labored. An awesome supporter and foster came by that night with her nebulizer box, showed me how to use it….and the journey began.
Over the course of the next several months, my vets and I tried many things to try to clear up Stan’s respiratory issues. We tried steroids and anti-biotics and anti-inflammatories. He had liquid meds for his nebulizer so that I could instantly give him a nebulizer treatment when he was struggling. Nothing worked. Despite his loud breathing and congestion, Stan was a very happy guinea pig. He did not appreciate my snuggles but he sure loved to eat. His favorite was bell peppers. The highlight of my day was giving his a slice and watching him run off with it, sticking up in the air. Sometimes he would run into his house and the pepper slice was too long and knock over the house. Stan was full of life. He had my heart.
On July 27, 2023, I found Stan near death. I thought of just holding him close as he passed, but something told me to jump in the car and take him to the vet. They rushed him right in. His prognosis was very grim. He was very bloated, his temperature was only 94 and he was not very responsive. I braced myself and held my breath for the next 48 hours. It was a rollercoaster from one call from the vet to the next. But he made. He survived. And I knew he would never leave my house.
Unfortunately, Stan passed away on November 21, 2023. He had another episode and he was tired, so despite emergency efforts, he went on his own accord. He was loved all over the world and many, besides myself, mourned him. He stood for strength and resilience and the will to live. He was Stan the Man.
Some piggies like Stan, come to us with medical problems, but still have a good quality of life. They deserve love and they deserve a forever family. Stan was originally going to be part of this program, but after his first hospitalization, I knew I could never part with him. It is a joy and warming to nurse an animal that needs help. Please consider adopting a guinea pig from this program and help keep Stan’s spirit alive through every animal that is helped and loved.
Stan's Safe Sanctuary Program
Sometimes, a small animal will come to the rescue that may not be able to ever be adopted. This is usually due to medical reasons. In some cases, these are hospice cases. In other cases, if a guinea pig or pair have been returned so many times, it is only fair to offer them a permanent spot where they will always be safe.
In any of these cases, these lives need a place to live out their days with love, comfort and compassion. With the rise and flow of rescue, it is not always possible to have them at the rescue location. They deserve more time and attention. That is were the program steps in.
Stan’s Safe Sanctuary Program is for our permanent residents. If you would like to adopt a resident in Stan’s Safe Sanctuary Program, you will be making a commitment to them to care for them and love them. Our commitment as a rescue is to ensure that their medical needs are met.
When you adopt a resident of this program, it is an official adoption. There will be a disclaimer in the adoption contract that the rescue will pay for the medical needs pertaining to the medical issue that the piggy has when leaving the rescue. This includes a minimum of a yearly check-up (more frequently if needed), any emergency visits needed for the medical concerns, any medications or supplements needed. We will also provide on-going support and any needs the Safe Sanctuary participant might need. There is no adoption fee for members of this program. Not everyone will be approved to be able to adopt- the strictest standards will be in place. Experienced guinea pig owners only.
Currently Eligible for Safe Sanctuary Program
If you are interested in adopting one of the below special piggies, please fill out the adoption application from the “Form” menu or e-mail any questions to [email protected]!
Percy
Percy is a quirky 5 year old senior piggie. He was purchased from a pet store several years ago, and the same owners had him for over 4 years. Unfortunately, they did not take good care of him. They never trimmed his nails once in the four years they had him, so you can imagine what they looked like. They were all curled under his feet and it was almost impossible for him to walk. Due to his inability to walk correctly and place his whole foot down when he walked, he developed severe arthritis in his knees. All of the other presenting issues he came in with her resolved, but Percy will need to be on Meloxicam (anti-inflammatory and pain) for the rest of his life. He needs frequent butt baths and boar cleanings due to his age. His bedding must be switched out at least two times a week because he tends to hang out in one spot. But look at this handsome face. He is quirky and he fusses when being picked up, but this boy is a BIG, FAT potato!
Flora and Joey
Flora and Joey are an amazing duo. They came from a high-kill shelter in California. It was obvious in her pictures that Flora had something going on, because she was missing so much fur. Her and Joey (initially Blossom) came together. It was discovered after they arrived that Joey was actually a neutered male. It was also discovered that the reason for Flora’s fur loss was because she had an ovarian cyst. She was given an injection of a medication that suppresses the hormones that feed the tumor, and after 30 days, her fur started growing back!
It is possible that the ovarian cyst can come back, so that is why Flora and her friend are in Stan’s Safe Sanctuary Program. A yearly vet visit will be paid for, along with another round of the injections if needed. The injections can be given once a year if needed and each round is two shots, 2 weeks apart.
These two are such a lovely duo. Flora is so sassy and will start complaining if Joey looks at any other female piggies. They are such an amazing couple and Flora is so sassy.